Mully & Haugh: Can Patrick Williams be a cornerstone piece for the Bulls?

(670 The Score) Bulls forward Patrick Williams’ fourth NBA season was cut short when the team announced Friday that he’ll undergo season-ending left foot surgery.

The operation will be needed after an MRI revealed progression of his foot stress reaction after Williams previously dealt with bone edema in his left foot. The news came as the 22-year-old Williams is on a path to hit restricted free agency this summer.

As he spoke to reporters Saturday about his injury, Williams stressed he wants to re-sign with Chicago and added he believes he can be a “cornerstone piece for this team.”

Are we buying that outlook for Williams’ future? The Mully & Haugh Show crew debated the topic Monday morning.

“No, no he’s not a cornerstone piece for this team,” host Mike Mulligan said. “I feel bad. I was hoping he’d have a better year this year, we’d have more clarity on who he is as a player. It’s tough now that he’s out for the year. Because what do you do with him? He says he wants to stay. What do you do with Patrick Williams? Total dilemma.

“He’s just a stone. He’s just one of the many stones you need, but not the one that is holding the damn thing together – no.”

Williams averaged 10.0 points and 3.9 rebounds in 27.3 minutes across 43 games this season, including 30 starts. He has already established himself as a strong defender for the Bulls.